ATLANTA — The Nationals' long, 10-day road trip enters its final leg tonight here in Atlanta, where the thermometer has been reading triple-digits all afternoon with no signs of cooling down. Into this caldron of fire steps Ross Detwiler, who flew from Colorado to Georgia yesterday and thus didn't get to experience that 11-inning debacle in person.

After asking their relievers to churn out eight innings in that wild game yesterday, the Nationals could desperately use a quality start out of Detwiler, who has reached the seventh inning only once in 10 previous starts this year.

The Nationals could also use a continuation of their offensive explosion from Coors Field. The air here certainly isn't as thin, though the scorching hot temperature should help the ball fly somewhat.

Plenty of updates to come live from Turner Field, so please check back often from the comforts of your air-conditioned living rooms…

Eagle has convinced me–converted, even. Laugh at these silly people, it's a lot more fun. There's about half a dozen, and then three or so more that are the same guy, and really, they aren't hurting anything but their own liver, which is none of my business. ******************************************************************Weather update: the line of really nasty stuff is about at DC, on a line from about Harrisburg to south of Lynchburg, with the worst on the north half. Batten down within the next half hour if you're in that area. And don't be touching plugged-in stuff in a lightning storm.

Davey is not stupid or clueless, guys. He has a tendency this year to be a little greedy with the pitching staff…but he seems to be very confident that this is a playoff team, so he seems content to let certain guys try to figure things out so they can contribute down the stretch.

that was brilliant! I am glad I am not making decisions. With Burnett getting job done, bullpen is saved a lot more work than needed. If we are going to blame Davey for sticking with HRod too long, then we should also give him credit for using other guys as brilliantly as he has done.Michele, let's hope that defense or even their offense is not needed for rest of the game.

Hey NatsJack-I am just as big of a fan as you are buddy. Just because I don't wear my uniform to the local bar every night doesn't mean I am not a fan. Nats Woo!!! BTW…nice call on the EJAX outing yesterday.

OK, not wonderfully happy with Ross (or with Davey leaving him in there to learn), but Davey did the right thing putting Ankiel out there, knowing Clipp is a flyball pitcher. Love the way this team weathers the storms!!!

The front is passing through and the power went on and off for a couple of minutes, then was gone for good. Gonna get pretty hot here in Silver Spring tonight but I'll sleep cozy knowing we have the best record in the NL.

Catching up…Hey Soul Possession, if you think the season is over and the Nats are already in the World Series, there's something in your drinking water!Water??!! Who put water in my drinking water?Well, you may have a point. I've started putting words in people's mouths. I'm afraid to enjoy the team winning. Oh, wait, that wasn't me. Nevermind.